| Roxie Albertha Roker | |
 Roxie Roker
|
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| Born | August 28, 1929 Miami, Florida, U.S. |
|---|---|
| Died | December 2, 1995 (aged 66) Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Occupation | Actress, Television Personality, News Anchor |
| Religious beliefs | Christianity |
Roxie Roker (August 28, 1929 – December 2, 1995) was an American actress of Bahamian heritage who was best known for her groundbreaking role as Helen Willis on the sitcom The Jeffersons, half of one of the first interracial couples to be shown on regular prime time television. She also had a small role in the television miniseries Roots.
Roxie Roker was born in Miami, Florida, and grew up in Brooklyn, New York. She attended Howard University, where she was a member of the drama club and Alpha Chapter, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. She began her professional career with the Negro Ensemble Company and became a successful stage actress. She won an Obie Award in 1974 and was nominated for a Tony Award for her portrayal of Mattie Williams in The River Niger.
Roker was a reporter on WNEW-TV in New York in the 1970s. She hosted a public affairs show for the station known as Inside Bed-Stuy, dealing with events in the Brooklyn neighborhood.
She appeared in guest starring roles on many United States television programs from the 1970s through the 1990s, including Punky Brewster, Hangin' with Mr. Cooper, A Different World, Murder, She Wrote,The Love Boat, 227, and Beat The Clock.
Roker was also a children’s advocate who was cited by the city of Los Angeles for her community work.
Roker was married to television producer Sy Kravitz from 1962 to 1985 and is the mother of musician Lenny Kravitz and the former mother-in-law of actress Lisa Bonet. She was a cousin of television news personality Al Roker.
Roker died in California on December 2, 1995 of breast cancer at the age of 66. She was survived by her son, musician Lenny Kravitz.
External links
- Roxie Roker at the Internet Movie Database
- Roxie Roker at TV.com
The Jeffersons - Louise's Painting Pt 2 of 3
George is furious that Louise has sketched a nude male
Author: belgusto
Keywords: isabel sanford sherman hemsley marla gibbs roxie roker franklin cover paul benedict nude painting
Added: August 14, 2008
The Jeffersons - George's Dream Pt 1 of 3
Hardworking George dreams that it's 1996 and everyone is celebrating the silver anniversary of his first store...and he's dead!
Author: belgusto
Keywords: isabel sanford sherman hemsley marla gibbs roxie roker franklin cover paul benedict candy mobley vernon washington james watson ned wertimer
Added: August 14, 2008
The Jeffersons - Louise's Painting Pt 1 of 3
Louise takes up an art class with Helen. But it's not exactly still life she'll be drawing on her first day!
Author: belgusto
Keywords: isabel sanford sherman hemsley marla gibbs roxie roker franklin cover robert dolittle sara seegar art drawing nude
Added: August 14, 2008
The Jeffersons - George's Dream Pt 3 of 3
George wakes up from his dream and learns a lesson
Author: belgusto
Keywords: isabel sanford sherman hemsley marla gibbs roxie roker franklin cover paul benedict ned wertimer james watson candy mobley
Added: August 12, 2008
The Jeffersons - George's Dream Pt 2 of 3
George's dream continues...
Author: belgusto
Keywords: isabel sanford sherman hemsley marla gibbs roxie roker franklin cover paul benedict death
Added: August 12, 2008